President Alyaksandr Lukashenka's motorcade drove through the empty streets of the Belarusian capital, Minsk, on September 23 for an unannounced inauguration ceremony. The swearing-in ceremony was moved up amid mass protests over his reelection last month.
Lukashenka's Lonely Inauguration: No Pomp Under These Circumstances
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Lukashenka's motorcade moves along the empty Independence Avenue in Minsk, which was closed to traffic in the morning.
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The streets around Independence Palace were empty ahead of the secret inauguration.
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A large number of security officers were seen near Independence Palace, where the swearing-in ceremony took place.
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Independence Avenue was closed for traffic.
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Security vehicles near Independence Palace
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The empty streets of Minsk on September 23
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Lukashenka's motorcade on its way to the swearing-in ceremony
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Lukashenka was sworn in for a sixth term in front of several senior officials. He put his right hand on the constitution and took the oath of office, before signing it.
